To discover the origin of the first Nativity scenes we should go back to the early Christians, because it have been found in the catacombs in Rome some remains of the first nativity scenes, which shows us that it´s a tradition that goes back to antiquity, although many Christians for fear of reprisals stopped using this traditional nativity scenes.

XIII century, St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans in Greccio, on Christmas Eve, represented for first time a living nativityscene, and here is where we place the beginning of this christmas rooted tradition.

Thanks to the Franciscans the custom of decorating our homes for Christmas with nativity scenes was extended.

The boom of the Nativity scenes is located in the Baroque period mainly by the impulse of the sculptural art, in Mallorca nativityscenes are introduced first into the stately homes, and from there to the bourgeoisie and ultimately to the people. (XVII and XVIII century)

Without any doubt, will be in Naples, XVIII century where nativity scenes will become more relevant,mainly for the artistic quality of his figures and their garments and ornaments,

In Spainnativity scenes will be introduced by the Franciscans in the XV century, and with king Carlos III, the influence of Neapolitannativity scenes will be evident in our country, it is logical Because Carlos III, was the King of Naples too.

Building nativity scenes or “betlems”, is the reproduction with figures of Christmas Jesus´s Mystery according to the Gospel narratives. The nativity scenes is a very popular set of removable figures,normally to decorate our houses,churches… in December and January.

The nativity scenes figures are made of clay, wood, precious metal, glued fabrics, papier mache, and other materials.

The nativity scenes introduction in Mallorca came from Naples in the XV century, the oldest one in Mallorca can be visited at La SANG Church (General Hospital).

Over the years, nativity scenes were adapted to the island, showing local scenery and garments, the best example in Palma city, is the display showed into the lobby of Palma City Council at Plaça de Cort. This nativity scene was created by master craftsman Damian Bennàssar. This nativity scene was exhibited in 1982 for first time, in the Spanish village “Pueblo Español”.

Cort Nativity scene,is currently exhibiting ito the lobby of Palma city council, and nowadays this emblematic nativity scene is assembled by his wife and son, which preserves the nativity scene tradition, and of course it´s a hard job which takes them aproximatly 25 to 30 days till the setting is done.

Cort nativity scene figures that are made up with artisan methods, molded in clay and placed in a wood oven whose temperature exceeds 2000 degrees.

Cort nativity scene consists basically of four representative areas of our island, the mountains , the villages, the plain and the sea, plus in each area,are represented too its trades or guilds , as the woodcutter , slaughters, nevaters or ice makers, the Mayor, the fisherman … and can not be missing musicians, dancers, giants,cabezudos or large-headed figures , etc. . , without forgetting the spotlight represented by Jesus child , Mary , Joseph, two angels and the three Kings riding horses.

Mallorca Private Tour Guides encourage all of you to join us to visit the nativity scenes which are exposed this days in Mallorca , discover with our licensed tour guide, the origin and roots of nativity scenes tradition in Mallorca, and its evolution through time, you will surprise with this amazing handmade works .

Let us be your tour guide and join us in one of our Christmas tours , there is not better Christmas gift as our culture and our traditions, give as perfect gift one of our guided tours with Mallorca Private Tour Guides and discover the Majorcan nativity scenes ..

We hope to see you soon in our of our tours with Mallorca Private Tour Guides

And we take this opportunity to wish all of you HAPPY HOLIDAYS and thank you all for your interest and support.

Thanks to all those who follow us regularly and have made ​​you LIKE our facebook page or blog.

We hope to continue having your support in the future, and from here we will keep trying to do our best for the diffusion of our culture and the artistic heritage of our island.

MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS

MALLORCA PRIVATE TOUR GUIDES TEAM

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